“Star Trek Discovery” Exhibit Thrills Fans With Props, Costumes, More

Props, Costumes, Art

San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) starts this weekend, and to celebrate, CBS put together an extensive Star Trek Discovery exhibit at the Michael J. Wolf Fine Arts Gallery. Fans lined up to be first to get a look at what Discovery will have to offer. An impressive amount of props and costumes were flown to SDCC from Toronto, where the new tv series is filming.

Included on display at the exhibit were Klingon costumes and weaponry, Starfleet uniforms, including a few previously-unseen, phasers, tricorders, communicators, and space suits. Additionally, CBS put up a number of pieces of concept art from before the series began filming, dating as far back as summer of 2016.

First Up, Starfleet

For many Star Trek fans, the gadgets and devices used by their favorite characters become part of the series experience. It has been well documented that many real-world technologies drew inspiration from Star Trek including cellphones and iPads.

Star Trek Discovery has clearly paid homage to previous Trek show by keeping much of the look and feel of now 50-year-old props from The Original Series, but with modern updates.

Starfleet Communicator

The Starfleet Communicator closely resembles the communicator used in some of the theatrical releases. Discovery‘s communicator includes a video display.

Starfleet Communicator closely resembles communicators from The Original Series and some of the movies. (courtesy startrek.com)

Starfleet Hand Phaser

The sleek design and shape of the Stafleet Hand Phaser more than resembles the phasers of Star Trek: The Original Series, but designers have taken license to update them.

Starfleet Hand Phasers are a modern incarnation of their 1960’s ancestors (courtesy startrek.com)

Starfleet Pulse Rifle

Starfleet is a humanitarian agency on a peaceful mission of exploration and science. That doesn’t mean they’re unable to defend themselves. The Starfleet Pulse Rifle is one device new to Star Trek Discovery that has been designed from ground-up. We’re unaware of any such item in The Original Series.

Starfleet Tricorder

The Tricorder is a gadget that has appeared in every incarnation of the television series. A lot of work has gone into this device to ensure it resembles those found in The Original Series, yet still maintains a modern appeal.

Starfleet Tricorder (courtesy startrek.com)

USS Shenzhou Transporter Room

The USS Shenzhou NCC-1227 is an older ship, under the command of Captain Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh). It comes with a very unusual transporter room, though we’re told is just one of a few on board.

The look of the teleportation pad, the color of the room, essentially everything about the design is different from any previous Star Trek series. Discovery is looking to re-invent a staple of Trek.

This transporter room was previously featured in a PR image provided by CBS (below)

One of a few transporter rooms on the USS Shenzhou NCC-1227 (courtesy startrek.com)Transporter room of the USS Shenzhou NCC-1227

Starfleet Vessels (Starships)

USS Shenzhou – NCC-1227

The exterior of the USS Shenzhou reveals that it is of an older design. There is more than a passing resemblance to the NX Enterprise.

The Shenzhou’s bridge is located on the bottom of the saucer section of the starship as apposed to the top, where they are traditionally located.

USS Discovery – NCC-1031

The Discovery is expected to be the protagonist ship of the series, and holds its namesake. Under the command of Captain Gabriel Lorca (Jason Isaacs), the USS Discovery is a science vessel.

A modern vessel and unlike any Starfleet vessel seen before, the USS Discovery’s saucer section has gaps between the main hulk and the Bridge area.

Final design of the USS Discovery NCC-1031. Detailing is not present (courtesy startrek.com)Concept art for the USS Discovery. The main ship featured in the upcoming Star Trek Discovery television series (courtesy startrek.com)Top-down view of the USS Discovery reveals elongated warp nacelles. (courtesy startrek.com)

Starfleet Uniforms

Just about every series of Star Trek re-invents the Starfleet uniforms – Star Trek: Voyager being the exception. Star Trek Discovery will once again change the way we see Starfleet personnel.

Instead of the traditional “happy” bright colors, Discovery opted for Starfleet to carry out a more militaristic look – all with the exception of the medical uniforms, which are dominantly white.

Starfleet has a more militaristic appearance in Star Trek Discovery (courtesy startrek.com)

Science Officer

Starting at the lower ranks, this uniform and Starfleet insignia represent that the wearer is a Science officer, as indicated by the silver lining.

Operations Officer (general duty)

The general Operations officer’s uniform consists of gold lining but is essentially the same as that of a Science Officer. Their insignia is unique.

Starfleet Operations Officer (courtesy startrek.com)

Starfleet Command Division Uniform

This Starfleet uniform belongs to a First Officer. Gold trimmed and possessing the command-line insignia.

Starfleet First Officer’s uniform (courtesy startrek.com)

Starfleet Captain’s Uniform

Starfleet Captain’s uniform has gold lining along the shoulder. Additionally, there is an extra pip on the command-line insignia of the wearer. This uniform will be donned by Captain Georgiou and Captain Lorca.

Captain’s Starfleet uniform (courtesy startrek.com)

Starfleet Medical

The uniform of Starfleet Medical officers takes on a different look in Star Trek Discovery. Unlike all the other uniforms, Starfleet Medical uniforms are white as apposed to blue. This is the first we’re seeing of the uniform, which wasn’t shown in the previously-released trailer.

Starfleet Medical uniforms are unlike any previous Star Trek tv series and look more like those worn by Captain Kirk in Star Trek: The Motion Picture (courtesy startrek.com)

Starfleet Tactical Jumpsuit and Vest

Star Trek has traditionally steered clear of anything that presented specifically as tactical or combat-oriented. Star Trek Discovery breaks with this tradition by introducing this Tactical Jumpsuit.

As seen on Captain Philippa Georgiou and Commander Michael Burnham above (transporter room photo), the vest appears to be more than protection for its wearer, providing utility for unpredictable situations.

Starfleet “Long Haul” Space Suit

When a member of Starfleet needs to make a space walk for an extended period of time or distance, they don one of this space suits.

Similar in appearance to the suit of the 22nd century in Star Trek Enterprise, and the movie Star Trek: First Contact, this Starfleet space suit is a modernized and enhanced rendition.

Starfleet Long Haul Space Suit is designed for duration and distance (courtesy startrek.com)

Klingon Costumes and Props

Klingon Costumes and Props (CBS All Access)

Present at the exhibit was a large assortment of Klingon props, costumes, and art work. The Klingons are expected to play a significant role in Discovery‘s first season.

Being one of the most popular, and recognizable, alien species in Star Trek lore, CBS and Discovery showrunners have opted to re-invent the species. Items, such as the Bat’Leth and D’k Tahg still exist, but they have taken on a much more ornate and ceremonial appearance.

Klingon Weapons

Mek’Leth

Klingon Mek’Leth takes on a recognizable form, but detailing has been enhanced (courtesy startrek.com)

Bat’Leth

The best known Klingon weapon of all makes its reappearance. This time with some major ornate adjustments. The Bat’Leth is no longer symmetrical.

Klingon Bat’Leth (courtesy @InverseReality)

D’k tahg

This D’k tahg weapon belongs to the Torchbearer who is presumed to be part of an ancient Klingon ceremony. It is a much more decorative version of the weapon than seen in any prior Star Trek. Historically, it has taken on a more sleek, simple design.

D’k tahg to be used by the Torchbearer (courtesy startrek.com)

Klingon Disruptor Weapons

The Klingon Disruptor weapon comes fully-equipped with knives on its front for traditional hand-to-hand combat.

Klingon Disruptor with Knives (courtesy startrek.com)

Klingon Helmets and Masks

Klingon Helmet and Collar

This highly-detailed helmet and collar would belong to a high-ranking Klingon official. Each warrior’s battle armor bears a unique signature look as a matter of honor. The helmet can fully retract and extend from the collar.

Klingon Torchbearer Armor

This is one of the most detailed uniforms or armor ever to appear in any Star Trek television series or theatrical release.

Klingon Torchbearer Suit in Star Trek Discovery (Photo Borys Kit)Klingon Torchbearer’s face lights up in a green color (courtesy startrek.com)Face-on against the Torchbearer (courtesy startrek.com)Exceptional detailing of the Torchbearer’s mask with detailing down to the millimeter scale (courtesy startrek.com)Hand and legs get shielding too (courtesy startrek.com)Should armor reveals that the Klingon emblem has not changed. (courtesy startrek.com)

T’Kuvma & House of T’Kuvma

T’Kuvma’s Uniform

This uniform is warn by Klingon leader T’Kuvma as he looks to unite the great Klingon Houses. While still very ornamental in appearance, it’s a little more subdued than that of the Torchbearer. Gold trimming signify the importance of its wearer

Uniform of T’Kuvma, leader of the Klingons (courtesy startrek.com)Uniform of T’Kuvma, leader of the Klingons (courtesy startrek.com)

House of T’Kuvma Uniform

Sharp edging along the shoulder indicate this belongs to the House of T’Kuvma, as do the gems at the edges of the spines.

Klingon Production Art

Klingon Sarcophagus

This CGI image depicts a Klingon Sarcophagus that takes on significance within the upcoming Star Trek Discovery television series. No word on who it encapsulates.

Klingon Sarcophagus (courtesy startrek.com)Texture study of the Klingon Sarcophagus ship. This image first appeared back in the summer of 2016 when we reported on it (courtesy startrek.com)Klingon Sarcophagus bridge illustration (courtesy startrek.com)Klingon Obelisk concept artwork (courtesy startrek.com)Klingon Raider texture study (courtesy startrek.com)

The Vulcans

Next up we have the Vulcans, a staple in any Star Trek series or movie. We know that Sarek appears in Discovery and an anonymous source tells us that there are other Vulcans, including Sarek’s assistant and students.

Sarek’s Costume

This costume is different than the one shown during the first Discovery trailer.

Sarek’s costume (courtesy startrek.com)

The IDIC

Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combination. This is an ancient Vulcan emblem.

The Vulcan IDIC (courtesy startrek.com)

Harry Mudd

This notorious character is slated to appear in a number of Star Trek Discovery episodes (as many as 9).

About Enrico Pastellio

Rico became a Star Trek fan after being introduced to it during Star Trek Enterprise's run. After finishing that series, he went back watching TNG, DS9, VOY, and most of the movies. He's a big fan of Star Trek (2009) for its action, but favors the cerebral nature of each tv series. When Rico first heard about the new Star Trek Discovery series (then just know as 'Star Trek'), he immediately wanted to start up a new site about the show.
You can email him at enrico@ncc-1031.com.